Claimant on crutches was a football referee

A man who claimed over £9,000 in benefits after saying he suffered such chronic back pain that he needed crutches admitted yesterday that he had been refereeing weekend football matches.

Christopher Stockwell was caught out after Department of Work and Pensions officers acting on a tip-off videoed him in action on the pitch a year ago.

The 52-year-old, of Carway, Kidwelly, west Wales, seriously injured his back in a fall at work and received the highest level of mobility disability allowance because his condition was so severe, Haverfordwest magistrates' court heard.

But Stockwell admitted failing to notify the authorities that his condition had improved to the point where he could referee football matches.

Sharon Knox, prosecuting for the DWP, said: "In order to claim that level he had to be assessed as virtually unable to walk. In particular, in his claim he said he used crutches, a walking stick and a wheelchair to help him get around." After Stockwell, who illegally claimed £9,034 in incapacity benefits and living allowances between June 2005 and June 2007, was filmed refereeing he was confronted with the video evidence, but would neither acknowledge nor deny that the images were of him, Knox told the court.

Steve Donoghue, defending, said Stockwell had fallen 12 metres and had injured several vertebrae. "He was severely injured and was virtually housebound for several years," he said, adding that his client grew depressed by his inability to get around. He discovered that using strong painkillers allowed him to be more mobile, and his GP had advised him to take regular exercise, which helped his depression. Eventually he was able to officiate at football matches.

Magistrates adjourned the case for pre-sentence reports and released Stockwell on conditional bail.